The Louisiana in the Civil War Message Board

Re: physical look of 27th at Vicksburg

Nic,

Below are some newspaper sources concerning L. L. McLaurin's Co. K of the 27th LA. that I don't recall being in Scribner's book. While it does not have exactly what you said you were looking for, some pertinent information can be gleaned from them.
Good Luck!

NATCHITOCHES [LA] UNION, March 20, 1862, p. 1, c. 2

McLaurin Invincibles.
Flag Presentation.

On Saturday last, at 10 o'clock, the McLaurin Invincibles, the Campte Company, ant the Chasseurs Ă Pied assembled at the corner of Front and St. Denis streets. The object of their meeting was the presentation of a flag to the first names of these companies, by the ladies of Natchitoches.

At half past 10, they formed in line and marched from their place of rendez-vous, followed by a large crowd, to the dwelling of Mr. Th. Airey, the place selected for the presentation of the flag. When arrived there, they halted in front of the house and were received by a large assemblage of ladies on the balcony, who attended in spite of the inclemency of the weather.

Miss Allie Tucker being selected to present the flag, pronounced the following pathetic and eloquent address to the company:

Gentlemen of the McLaurin Invincibles.—I present to you, this beautiful banner so neatly made by the ladies; as their hands industriously worked, their hearts filled with patriotism, until the cup over flowed, and they felt they could shoulder a musket, and defend their homes.

Then, gentlemen, if this be the feeling of the ladies, what must be yours? Can you remain at home, and let those who are now in the tented field fight your battles? No never, you will go and join those gallant ones, and show the world how the sons of Louisiana can do battle for liberty.

The crisis has come, the deed must be done, or else, the Confederacy which now fills the heart of every true southerner with pride, will be disgraced and ruined.

Then, brave men, it is your country's call! the blood of your brothers that fell in our late battles, calls you to arms!

I say to you in the words of the Suliote chief:

"Strike, till your last armed foe expires;

Strike for your altars, and your fires;

Strike for the green graves of your sires;

God and your southern land!"

The invaders are now knocking at our threshold, and we, southern women do not choose between dishonor and death, but encourage our fathers, husbands and brothers to go forward and face the foe.

Soldiers of the "McLaurin Invincibles," I do not fear this flag will ever be dishonored, or trail in the dust and blood! Be it, that the standard bearer, be made [to] kiss the dust, there will be another Jasper of 76, to rear and unfurl its colors to the breeze, and show the enemy we are there.

It is with a sad, and aching heart we bid you farewell, but the breeze that unfurls these colors will waft our prayers to heaven in your behalf.

By all ye hope, by all ye love,

Be resolute and proud!

And let this flag a symbol be,

Of triumph, or a shroud!

At those words almost drowned in subdued emotion, and with trembling hands, she placed that sacred pledge of glory and happiness, or perhaps, alas, of separation forever, into the hands of her step father, who received it in the name of his Company and answered in the following energetic and soldier-like sentiments:

"My daughter, ladies, gentlemen and fellow soldiers.—I receive this flag from the fail [sic] hands of woman, always freedom's best friend. The chivalrous sons of the south are again called upon to drive a despised enemy from its sacred soil. I receive this flag in the name of the McLaurin Invincibles, who have honored me with the command, and in their name, I pledge that it shall be kept as received, untarnished, unpolluted by the touch of the hands of the enemy, until it is baptised with the blood of this company.

"Fellow soldiers,--upon our heroic spirits our country relies. What member of this Company but feels within himself that he, alone, is unconquerable? Fellow soldiers, you have doubtless counted the cost, great difficulties are to be met and overcome, none can doubt; but is there a man so craven-hearted as to doubt for one moment our success—is there one? and while I ask the question, every heart and voice responds "No!"

"Fellow citizens of Natchitoches, we have volunteered to fight your battles and win a glorious victory. We leave behind, in our charge, the most sacred ties known to man on earth—our wives, children, fathers, mothers, sisters. As soldiers, we must toil, suffer and even bleed for the honor of our common country; we ask, in return, look well to your trust at home."

Here, a lovely cortege of eight little girls, 7 or 8 years old, headed by two young ladies, all bearing banners, joined the companies and accompanied them to the Protestant Church, where the benediction of the flag took place.

The Rev. W. Bennet officiated and delivered a patriotic appeal to the company, which no doubt found echo in their hearts. The touching melody "Home, sweet home," sung by a fine chorus, concluded the ceremony.

The "McLaurin's Invincibles" left on Monday, on board the Era No. 4, for New Orleans.

Names of the Company.

Captain, L. L. McLaurin. . . .

NATCHITOCHES [LA] UNION, March 20, 1862, p. 1, c. 1

Our Volunteers.

All Natchitoches has done himself immortal honor by sending soldiers to the field. Several Companies have already gone into service and one or two more are being formed and will probably go forward in the course of ten days. At least eight hundred Natchitoches men have volunteered; many have joined Companies hailing from other Parishes—De Soto, Sabine, Winn and Bienville. On Monday last Capt. McLaurin's Company left for New Orleans. Our men are the best material for soldiers, young, patriotic, inured to hardship. Heaven grant they may return again to their homes clothed with the laurels of victory!

NATCHITOCHES [LA] UNION, March 20, 1862, p. 2, c. 2-3
Summary: French version of the flag presentation to the McLaurin Invincibles

NATCHITOCHES [LA] UNION, July 10, 1862, p. 1, c. 2

Arms.

It would appear, from the best information had that there is at this time a great scarcity of arms at Monroe. In fact the Companies that have gone from this Parish are totally without them, and the urgency of the occasion demands that energy should be used by those empowered to procure the same at once. The people of this Parish could not show their devotion and loyalty to the cause of this country better than by contributing whatever arms that can be spared; now is the time, for those that have the means or credit, to act, and that promptly too; for a few hundred Dollars laid out in that way would in all probability save to the contributor thousands.

With arms, your Country can be defended, without them it may fall an easy prey to the invader.

Patriotism should show itself before it is too late.

NATCHITOCHES [LA] UNION, July 24, 1862, p. 1, c. 2

Proceeding of the Ladies Military Aid
Society.

Saturday, July 12th, 1862.

The society heard with regret of the death of Madame S. Huppe, the late vice president, and express the same by ordering this testimonial of their sentiments in regard to that event to be recorded on the minutes of the society.

The election of a vice President, to fill the place of the deceased, was then gone into; on nomination of Madame M. G. Calhoun, she was duly elected to that office.

The society having heard that disparaging rumors had been circulated, in reference to the disposition, by sale of the peas, hominy and molasses, donated to them, at Cloutierville, during last year, desire to make the public statement that these articles were disposed of by Madame Aurore Hyams by sale, to prevent their certain loss by being kept, and because impossible then to ship them; and the society is fully satisfied that their sale was fairly conducted and no subsequent disposition by the purchaser was made of them for the purposes of speculation as rumored.

They also state that the meal donated was given to the poor of the volunteers and of the Parish. The following was reported to Capt. L. Caspari, in January last and taken by him to camp.

For Pelican Rangers No. 1, seventy-five pair of woolen socks, 1 pair pants, 1 overcoat, and 8 blankets.

For Pelican Rangers No. 2, sixty pair woolen socks, two pair pants, two pair drawers and one over coat.

The following was reported to be the articles furnished to Capt. Octave Metoyer, 8th March last, for the use of his company.

One satchel containing lint and bandages.

Nine pair of pants. Five shirts.

Four pair of drawers. Three vests.

Four woolen comforts for the neck.

Four over coats.

And on the 14th of March last, the following to the company of Capt. L. L. McLaurin.

One satchel of lint and bandages.

Seven pair of pants; One jacket, one vest.

The following articles were reported as sent by Madame L. Boyce the President to Gen. Beauregard's army, for the sick and wounded, sent by McKee the 2d of June last.

One box of forty jars preserves and 40 boxes guava jelly; a box of claret wine of 28 bottles; one box sweet oil, vinegar and honey; one of 25 jars pickles; one of 20 bottles cordial and brandy; one large box of lint, bandages and old linen.

And one large box containing as follows, 13 lbs coffee; 6 lbs white sugar; 6 lbs Brown sugar; 12 lbs flax seed; 16 lbs mustard seed; 4 boxes mustard; 2 bags sage; 7 lbs of dried pumpkin; 12 lbs dried peaches; 2 boxes of sardines; 2 cans oysters; 3 cans lobsters; 9 bottles red pepper; 1 bag of dried pepper; 10 lbs tallow; 10 bottles of sassafras Gumbo; 4 bottles of cologne; 25 jars pickles; 12 bottles syrup; 2 bottles of lemon juice; 2 dozen candles; 6 boxes matches; 6 bundles of herbs for tea.

Mrs. Boyce further reported to have on hand, one boq [sic?] of ratafia; one box of 40 bottles claret wine and a considerable quantity of lint bandages and old linen.

These reports were accepted by the society.

Mrs. L. Boyce, President.

Miss M. A. Hunter, Secretary.

NATCHITOCHES [LA] UNION, September 11, 1862, p. 1, c. 2

Camp Norwood, Vicksburg,

August 24th, 1862.

Mr. Editor,--A few days since, a couple of copies of your paper were received by some of our boys. Every man seemed to vie with each other as to who should read first, &c. Each one awaited his turn as is generally done at the mill. It is always a welcome visitor among us. Judging from the contents, I should not think Natchitoches very dull, which is more than can be said of some other places of much larger proportion. Vicksburg, however, is doing well enough because there is a good crowd of soldiers in its vicinity. Since the abandonment of the siege of Vicksburg by the yankees, the "Little Hill City," (as Mississippians persist in calling it since the fall of New Orleans) presents quite a lively appearance. Soldiers continually crowd the sidewalks. It is astonishing to see what little damage has been done by the yankees. I will venture to say that a stranger who knew nothing of the siege of Vicksburg would pass through the city without having the slightest idea that such a thing as bombs, shells, &c., had ever been near the place. Most of the damage done is on the levee. The yankees abandoned this place very suddenly, and as suddenly made their appearance again. Some days ago, great excitement prevailed on account of a report concerning gunboats. The whole town and every camp around presented but one scene of anxiety and excitement; anxious for the fate of the Fair Play, one of our steamers, and excited and angry for want of marching orders. But, to make a long story short, I shall begin by saying: on Monday, the 19th inst. a rumor was float that the yankee fleet had come down as far as Miliken's end and captured the steamboat Fair Play loaded with arms and ammunition for our troops on the other side of the river. The Fair Play left the Vicksburg wharf on Monday at 11 p.m., arrived at Milliken's Bend at 2 a.m. let down steam and remained there until 4 a.m., when the fleet, or a portion of it, came in sight and then skedaddled. The fleet then captured the boat and everything on board. In the meantime, various enquiries were made concerning the visit of the fleet. Some thought they had come down with our Fort Donelson prisoners to be exchanged at this place, while others took different view of the subject, and thought their object was a simultaneous attack on the city, by land and water. But their intention was neither an exchange of prisoners nor an attack, it was nothing more than a marauding expedition to retaliate for our firing into their transports as they came down the river. They went up the Yazoo river a short distance only because a tremendous sand bar prevented their progress further. Returning to the Mississippi, they burnt a certain Mr. Sneid's gin, shot a whole [sic] through his house, besides committing other depredations. On the edge of the river were five cannons sent up there by our authorities to erect a battery in defence of that point, but as usual the yankees were faster than we are, and the consequence was they took them, bursted three of them and the other two (brass pieces) they kept. On the evening of the 19th, our regiment was ordered out. An attack was expected, that night or the next day sure—but no signs of a yankee. The Invincibles managed to turn out twenty-six men, rank and file. So much for the yankee fleet, Fair Play, &c.

I must now turn to something of a more serious nature. The 22d of this month completed the fifth month of our service as Confederate troops, and during those five months we have undergone trials and hardships with comparatively speaking but few deaths. They died of disease it is true, but still in the defence of their country. They did not distinguish themselves on the battle field, by deeds of valor and skill, but their name will ever be remembered, I am sure, by the people of Natchitoches as being among the defenders of their firesides. But the last on our record is our 2d Lieut. A. M. Tauzin. After an illness of typhoid fever, of eight or ten days, he was removed to a private house two miles below town on the morning of the 22d, and died yesterday morning. His funeral took place last evening, at half-past five o'clock. His body was escorted to the graveyard by our company and was buried with all the military honors due his rank. He died a patriot and a good soldier. From his first day's sickness to his last, Mrs. Davenport (wife of our 1st Lieut.) administered to his wants. Really, she has, and still replaces, a mother's tender care and a sister's loving smile.

Our Company is improving in health. The boys are in very good spirits. Lt. Col. McLaurin is in Jackson, Miss., attending a military Commission.

Dixie.

NATCHITOCHES [LA] UNION, September 11, 1862, p. 1, c. 3

Jackson, Aug. 26th, 1862

Dear Friend.—My letter brings sad news to you, it is the death of Lieut. Marcel Tauzin. He was taken while on picket in the Yazoo River swamp, with Typhoid Fever. His constitution being very weak, stood but a short time under the disease. I was not in camps when he was taken sick, but was there when he died. He was moved to a house, on a plantation, where he could be well taken care of, but it did no good. He was loved by all the boys, was a mild gentleman and a splendid officer. He was buried on Saturday, 33d inst., without the usual religious ceremonies, because we could not get them, but with all the military honors due his rank.

Should his remains be sent for, they will be found by the head board of his grave, it having the number 134 on it.

I have not been sick one hour since I left New Orleans, our Regt. is improving every day.

L. L. McLaurin.

Messages In This Thread

physical look of 27th at Vicksburg
Re: physical look of 27th at Vicksburg
27th LA Uniformity